The prisoner “jumped” the officer about 1 p.m. Sunday outside the prisoner’s cell entrance at G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility, 3500 Elm Road, in Blackman Township, said Russ Marlan, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Marlan said the prisoner held the weapon to the officer’s throat. Other officers got involved and convinced the prisoner to drop the shank, a modified razor blade, Marlan said. They did an “excellent job” of responding to the situation, Marlan said.

The officer had a small laceration to his face, near the left ear, and went to Allegiance Health, where he was treated and released, Marlan said. “The situation, obviously, could have been much worse.”

Earlier in the day, the officer had given the prisoner a ticket for misconduct, Marlan said. He did not know why the man got into trouble.

Marlan said the prisoner was in a Level IV unit. Level V is the highest security level.

The man now is being transferred to a maximum security facility, Marlan said Monday afternoon.

Marlan did not release the prisoner’s name because he could be charged with additional crimes.

The teen is serving at least 11 years, three months for armed robbery, home invasion, carjacking, and resisting or obstructing an officer. A Saginaw County judge sentenced him in 2011. His maximum sentence is 30 years, Marlan said.

In prison, inmates are allowed to obtain shaving razors, Marlan said. The blade used in this case had been altered, he said.